(i) In 1845 the Silesian weavers revolted against contractors who supplied them raw material and gave them orders for finished textiles but drastically reduced their payments. (ii) Dissatisfied and resented weavers emerged from their homes on 4 June and marched in pairs up to the mansion of their contractor demanding higher wages. (iii) When the contractor showed reluctance, a group of them forced their way into the house, smashed its elegant window panes, furniture, porcelain, etc. (iv) Another group broke into the store house and plundered it of supplies of cloth which they tore to shreds. (v) The contractor fled with his family to a neighbouring village which ultimately refused to shelter such a person. He returned 24 hours later having requisitioned the army. In the exchange that followed, eleven weavers were shot.